Gaming machine with layered displays

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a gaming machine that includes multiple display devices arranged in a common line of sight. An intermediate display device or light filter may be included between the exterior display device and the interior display device. A touchscreen may also be added outside the exterior display device to facilitate player input and gaming machine interaction. The common line of sight arrangement permits a person to view video output on all the display devices simultaneously or without substantially changing their position or line of sight. The interior display device may include a digital display device that includes a curved surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/514,808, filed Sep. 1, 2006 and entitled “GAMING MACHINE WITH LAYEREDDISPLAYS”, which is a) a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/213,626 filed Aug. 6, 2002, and b) a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/755,598 filed Jan. 12, 2004; all ofthese patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to gaming machines. In particular, the inventionrelates to gaming machines with layered displays disposed along a commonline of sight and gaming machines that include a digital display devicewith a curved surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional gaming machines use one or more display devices to outputvideo data. While many gaming machines include multiple displays, thedisplays are arranged separately from each other so as to offer multiplescreens that provide more information to a person. For example, someconventional gaming machines include an LCD panel disposed in a centralpart of the gaming machine for presenting a game, while a secondary andsmaller LCD panel in a top box of the gaming machine provides bonus gameor other information.

Upper and lower, side-by-side, or other separate display screenarrangements require a player to change his or her line of sight onefrom one screen to another. This may lead to less game play. Playersoften get distracted when they look away from a gaming machine, whichrepositioning between separate display devices often leads to. A gamingmachine that permits a person to view multiple display screenssimultaneously while looking in a single direction would improve playerinteraction with a gaming machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a gaming machine that includes multipledisplay devices arranged in a common line of sight. The common line ofsight passes through a portion of an exterior display device and to aportion of an interior display device. In some cases, an intermediatedisplay device or light filter is also included between the exteriordisplay device and the interior display device and the common line ofsight passes through a portion of the intermediate display device aswell. A touchscreen may also be added outside the exterior displaydevice to facilitate player input and gaming machine interaction. Thecommon line of sight arrangement permits a person to view video outputon all the display devices simultaneously or without substantiallychanging their position or line of sight.

In one embodiment, the interior display device includes a digitaldisplay device that includes a curved surface. The curved surface may beused to show virtual video reels that resemble mechanical reels used onolder gaming machines. The digital display device, however, permits thenumber of reels and the symbols on each reel to be changed, as desired.

The multiple display devices find many uses. In one embodiment, a singlegame is output using all the display devices, which cooperate to form asingle coordinated visual presentation. Different depths provided by themultiple display devices improve presentation of three-dimensionalgraphics.

In another embodiment, the multiple display devices output video fordifferent games or purposes. For example, the interior display devicemay output a game, while the intermediate display device outputs a bonusgame or pay table associated with the interior display, while theexterior and foremost display device provides a progressive game or isreserved for player interaction and video output with the touchscreen.Other combinations may be used and are described below.

In one embodiment, the exterior display device has a screen that has thecapacity to be completely or partially translucent or transparent atcontrolled times and/or at controlled portions and locations on thescreen. An intermediate display device can have the same see-throughcapacity. When one of the proximate display screens is transparent ortranslucent, a person can see images displayed on one of the distaldisplay devices.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a gaming machine. Thegaming machine includes an external cabinet defining an interior regionof the gaming machine. The external cabinet is adapted to house aplurality of gaming machine components within or about the interiorregion. The gaming machine includes a processor configured to executeinstructions from memory that permit game play on the gaming machine.The gaming machine further includes a first display device disposedwithin or about the interior region and a digital display device thatincludes a curved surface for presenting an image on the curved surfaceto a person near the gaming machine. The first display device and thecurved surface of the digital display device are disposed such that acommon line of sight passes through a portion of the first displaydevice and to a portion of the curved surface of the digital displaydevice. The curved surface of the digital display device is distallylocated along the common line of sight relative to the first displaydevice for a person looking along the common line of sight.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a gaming machinethat includes a light valve disposed along the common line of sightbetween the first display device and the digital display deviceincluding the curved surface. The light valve is configured to block atleast a portion of the curved surface in response to a control signal.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a gaming machinethat includes a touchscreen proximately located along the common line ofsight relative to the first display device for a person looking alongthe common line of sight.

In still another aspect, the present invention relates to a gamingmachine that includes a digital display device that includes a curvedsurface for presenting an image on the curved surface to a person nearthe gaming machine. The digital display device is configured to permitdisplay of a first game having a first number of reels and a second gamehaving a second number of reels.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will bedescribed in more detail below with reference to the associated figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a gaming machine in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B shows a display device arrangement suitable for use with agaming machine in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1C is an exploded perspective view of a display device arrangementin accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrates one game example where curved display deviceoutputs a video reel image in accordance with a specific embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 shows exemplary video output that may be shown on the displaysystem of FIG. 1C during performance of a slots routine using reelsdisplay on the curved display device in accordance with another specificembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows exemplary video output shown on the display system of FIG.1C when the light valve has been activated to obscure the images on reardisplay device.

FIGS. 5A-5D show exemplary video data output on the display devices andgaming machine of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a gaming machine in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B shows a display device arrangement in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a control configuration for use in a gaming machinein accordance with another specific embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is flowchart or software routine of a display routine that may beexecuted by a gaming machine controller in accordance with a specificembodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference toa few preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. In the following description, numerous specific details areset forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the presentinvention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, thatthe present invention may be practiced without some or all of thesespecific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/orstructures have not been described in detail in order to notunnecessarily obscure the present invention.

The present invention includes a gaming machine with multiple displaydevices arranged in a common line of sight relative to a person near thegaming machine. Multiple display devices disposed along a common line ofsight are also referred to herein as ‘layered’ displays. One or more ofthe layered display devices proximate to the person are completely orpartially transparent or translucent so as to permit view of the distaldisplay devices.

The distal display may include a curved display device, such as a curvedOLED or a projection system that casts an image onto a curved surface.These curved display devices are suitable for mimicking a conventionalmechanical reel game, but allow the digital and external control of reelgames on the curved digital display. Glass LCDs may be curved and arealso suitable for use.

This multi-layer display device arrangement improves visual output for agaming machine. As will be described below, display device arrangementsdescribed herein permit better graphics for a game played on a gamingmachine, more games to be played on a single gaming machine, and/ordynamic reconfiguration of a gaming machine to offer multiple games thattraditionally required manual and mechanical reconfiguration of a gamingmachine, e.g., to change the number of reels for new reel game thatrequires five reels instead of three.

In one embodiment, all three display devices are digital and permitreconfiguration in real time. This permits new or different games to bedownloaded onto a gaming machine, and reconfiguration of the threedisplay devices to present a new or different game using any combinationof the three display devices. For a casino, or other gamingestablishment, this permits a single gaming machine to offer multiplegames without the need for gaming machine maintenance or replacementwhen a new game is desired by casino management or customer demand.

Controlling transparency of the outer one or two display devices alsoprovides novel game presentation versatility on a single gaming machine.In one embodiment, the intermediate display device acts as a light valvethat controls whether the interior display device is visible, or whatportions of the interior display device are visible. For example, windowportions of the intermediate light valve may be left transparent topermit viewing of a select number video reels disposed on a curved OLEDdisplay device arranged behind the light valve. Since the number (andsize) of video reels on the curved OLED display device may be digitallychanged, e.g., from 3 video reels to 5 to 7 etc., controlling opacity ofthe intermediate light valve permits the gaming machine to visuallyoffer multiple reel games with a different number of reels on a singlegaming machine—without maintenance resources and casino downtime tochange mechanical reels.

In another embodiment, the intermediate light valve completely blocksout the interior display device, where the outermost display device isnow solely visible and used for game presentation. The gaming machinenow resembles a conventional gaming machine that only includes a singleand outer LCD panel. The gaming machine may then respond to digitalcontrols to switch between a reel game, a multi-layer/multi-displaygame, and a simple one-panel LCD game. Other uses of the layereddisplays are possible and contemplated.

Player participation on a gaming machine increases with entertainment.Improved visual output provided by the present invention enables moreentertaining forms of interaction between a player and gaming machine,and thus improves player participation and patronage for a casino orgaming establishment that includes a gaming machine of the presentinvention.

For example, the common line of sight and layered displays improvepresentation of three-dimensional (3D) graphics. A gaming machine mayuse a combination of virtual 3D graphics on any one of the displaydevices—in addition to 3D graphics obtained using the different depthsof the layered display devices. Virtual 3D graphics on a single screentypically involve shading, highlighting and perspective techniques thatselectively position graphics in an image to create the perception ofdepth. These virtual 3D image techniques cause the human eye to perceivedepth in an image even though there is no real depth (the images arephysically displayed on a single display screen, which is relativelythin). Also, a predetermined distance (between display screens for thelayered display devices) facilitates the creation of graphics havingreal depth between the layered display devices. 3D presentation ofgraphic components may then use a combination of: a) virtual 3D graphicstechniques on one or more of the multiple screens and/or b) the depthsbetween the layered display devices. Further description of 3D graphicspresentation is provided below.

Although the following examples describe display systems that includelayered display devices for a primary display located centrally in agaming machine, those of skill in the art will recognize that displaysystems described herein are applicable towards other areas of a gamingmachine, such as a top glass or a belly glass.

As the term is used herein, a display device refers to any deviceconfigured to adaptively output a visual image to a person in responseto a control signal. In one embodiment, the display device includes ascreen of a finite thickness, also referred to herein as a displayscreen. For example, LCD display devices often include a flat panel thatincludes a series of layers, one of which includes a layer of pixilatedlight transmission elements for selectively filtering red, green andblue data from a white light source. Numerous exemplary display devicesare described below.

The display device is adapted to receive signals from a processor orcontroller included in the gaming machine and to generate and displaygraphics and images to a person near the gaming machine. The format ofthe signal will depend on the device. In one embodiment, all the displaydevices in a layered arrangement respond to digital signals. Forexample, the red, green and blue pixilated light transmission elementsfor an LCD device typically respond to digital control signals togenerate colored light, as desired.

In one embodiment, the gaming machine includes two display devices,including a first, foremost or exterior display device and a second,underlying or interior display device. For example, the exterior displaydevice may include a transparent LCD panel while the interior displaydevice includes a digital display device with a curved surface.

In another embodiment, the gaming machine includes three displaydevices, including a first, foremost or exterior display device, asecond or intermediate display device, and a third, underlying orinterior display device. The display devices are mounted, oriented andaligned within the gaming machine such that at least one—and potentiallynumerous—common lines of sight intersect portions of a display surfaceor screen for each display device. Several exemplary display devicesystems and arrangements that each include multiple display devicesalong a common line of sight will now be discussed.

Layered display devices may be described according to their positionalong a common line of sight relative to a viewer. As the terms are usedherein, ‘proximate’ refers to a display device that is closer to aperson, along a common line of sight (such as 20 in FIG. 1A), thananother display device. Conversely, ‘distal’ refers to a display devicethat is farther from a person, along the common line of sight, thananother.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 7, a gaming machine 10 of one embodimentof the present invention includes a cabinet or housing 12 that housesexterior display device 18 a, intermediate display device 18 b, interiordisplay device 18 c, touchscreen 16, and a processor 132 (FIG. 7) thatcommunicates with a memory device 134 and with each of the displaydevices 18 and touchscreen 16. The processor 132 controls the operationof components in gaming machine 10 to present one or more games, receiveplayer inputs using the touchscreen 16, and control other gaminginteractions between the gaming machine and a person 21.

Under the control of processor 132, display devices 18 generate visualinformation for person 21. As shown in FIG. 1A, there are three layereddisplay devices 18: a first, exterior or frontmost display device 18 a,a second or intermediate display device 18 b, and a third, interior, orbackmost display screen 18 c. The display devices 18 a, 18 b and 18 care mounted and oriented within the cabinet 12 in such a manner that astraight and common line of sight 20 intersects the display screens ofall three display devices 18 a, 18 b and 18 c. In addition, displaydevices 18 a, 18 b and 18 c are all relatively flat and aligned about inparallel to provide a plurality of common lines of sight that intersectscreens for all three.

The gaming machine may also include one or more light sources. In oneembodiment, display devices 18 include LCD panels and at least one lightsource that provides light, such as white light, to the pixilated filterelements on each LCD panel. For example, a back lighting source (notshown) may be positioned behind display device 18 c. The pixilated panelfor each parallel display device 18 a, 18 b and 18 c then filters whitelight from the backmost backlight to controllably output color images oneach screen.

Other light sources may be used to illuminate a reflective ortransmissive light filter. For example, each display device 18 may beindividually illuminated using a white light source attached near thesides of each pixelating panel; the side light source may include amini-fluorescence source and light guide that transmits light from theside light source, down the flat panel, and to all the pixilated filterelements in the planar LCD panel for pixilated image production. Othersuitable light sources may include cold cathode fluorescent lightsources (CCFLs) and/or light emitting diodes, for example.

In another embodiment, a distal and emissive display device is arrangedbehind a proximate and non-emissive display device, and provides lightto the proximate display device, which then filters the light to createan image. For example, a flat OLED or plasma display device 18 c may beused to a) produce an image and b) to emit light that is filtered by LCDpanels 18 a and 18 b. In this case, the distal and emissive displaydevice emits at least some white light. For example, video output of oneor more reels may include significant white light that is also used toilluminate one or more LCD panels for pixilated filtering. In anotherembodiment, the proximate LCD panels use reflective light where thelight comes from in front of the gaming machine, e.g., from the ambientroom. As one of skill in the art will appreciate, more light is neededas the number of reflective or non-emissive light filter-type displaydevice increases, e.g., from 1 to 2 pixelated LCD panels 18 a and 18 b.

The proximate display devices 18 a and 18 b each have the capacity to bepartially or completely transparent or translucent. In a specificembodiment, the relatively flat and thin display devices 18 a and 18 bare liquid crystal display devices (LCDs). Other display technologiesare also suitable for use. Various companies have developed relativelyflat display devices that have the capacity to be transparent ortranslucent. One such company is Uni-Pixel Displays, Inc., Inc. ofHouston Tex., which sells display screens that employ time multiplexoptical shutter (TMOS) technology. This TMOS display technologyincludes: (a) selectively controlled pixels that shutter light out of alight guidance substrate by violating the light guidance conditions ofthe substrate and (b) a system for repeatedly causing such violation ina time multiplex fashion. The display screens that embody TMOStechnology are inherently transparent and they can be switched todisplay colors in any pixel area. A transparent OLED may also be used.An electroluminescent display is also suitable for use with proximatedisplay devices 18 a and 18 b. Also, Planar Systems Inc. of Beaverton,Oreg. and Samsung of Korea, both produce several display devices thatare suitable for use herein and that can be translucent or transparent.Kent Displays Inc. of Kent, Ohio also produces Cholesteric LCD displaydevices that operate as a light valve and/or a monochrome LCD panel.

FIG. 1B shows a display device arrangement suitable for use with agaming machine in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention. In this arrangement, a touchscreen 16 is arranged in front ofan exterior LCD panel 18 a, an intermediate light valve 18 e and adisplay device 18 d with a curved surface. A common line of sight 20passes through all four layered devices.

Light valve 18 e selectively permits light to pass therethrough inresponse to a control signal. Various devices may be utilized for thelight valve 18 e, including, but not limited to, suspended particledevices (SPD), Cholesteric LCD devices, electrochromic devices, polymerdispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) devices, etc. Light valve 18 e switchesbetween being transparent, and being opaque (or translucent), dependingon a received control signal. For example, SPDs and PDLC devices becometransparent when applied with a current and become opaque or translucentwhen little or no current is applied. On the other hand, electrochromicdevices become opaque when applied with a current, and transparent whenlittle or no current is applied. Additionally, light valve 18 e mayattain varying levels of translucency and opaqueness. For example, whilea PDLC device is generally either transparent or opaque, suspendedparticle devices and electrochromic devices allow for varying degrees oftransparency, opaqueness or translucency, depending on the appliedcurrent level. Further description of a light valve suitable for useherein is described in commonly owned and co-pending patent applicationSer. No. 10/755,657 and entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING A LIGHTVALVE TO REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF AN OBJECT WITHIN A GAMING APPARATUS”,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for allpurposes.

In one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a touchscreen 16 disposedoutside the exterior display device 18 a. Touchscreen 16 detects andsenses pressure, and in some cases varying degrees of pressure, appliedby a person to the touchscreen 16. Touchscreen 16 may include acapacitive, resistive, acoustic or other pressure sensitive technology.Electrical communication between touchscreen 16 and the gaming machineprocessor enable the processor to detect a player pressing on an area ofthe display screen (and, for some touchscreens, how hard a player ispushing on a particular area of the display screen). Using one or moreprograms stored within memory of the gaming machine, the processorenables a player to activate game elements or functions by applyingpressure to certain portions of touchscreen 16. Several vendors known tothose of skill in the art produce a touchscreen suitable for use with agaming machine.

As the term is used herein, a common line of sight refers to a straightline that intersects a portion of each display device. The line of sightis a geometric construct used herein for describing a spatialarrangement of display devices and need not be an actual line of somesort in the gaming machine. If all the proximate display devices aretransparent along the line of sight, then a person should be able seeall the display devices along the line of sight. Multiple lines of sightmay also be present in many instances. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, onesuitable arrangement includes screens for two display devices 18 a and18 d that are intersectable by a common line of sight 20.

Rear display device 18 d includes a digital display device with a curvedsurface that shows video data. A digital display device refers to adisplay device that is configured to receive and respond to a digitalcommunication, e.g., from a processor or video card. Thus, OLED, LCD andprojection type (LCD or DMD) devices are all examples of suitabledigital display devices. E Ink Corporation of Cambridge, Mass. produceselectronic ink displays that are suitable for use in rear display device18 d. Microscale container display devices, such as those produced SiPixof Fremont, Calif., are also suitable for use in rear display device 18d. Several other suitable digital display devices are provided below.

One suitable curved digital display device includes a projector thatcasts an image onto a curved surface. Suitable projectors includeLCD-type and DMD-type projectors, as available from a wide variety ofvendors known to those of skill in the art. In this case, the curvedsurface includes a white screen or translucent material, such asplastic, curved to desired dimensions. In a specific embodiment, thecurvature substantially resembles the curvature of traditionalmechanical reels used in a slot machine. Another suitable curved digitaldisplay device includes a flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED).Many flexible OLEDs are conformable and may be bent over a shape to takethe shape of an mechanical support such as an underlying structure orframe. Some flexible OLEDs are thin and resemble paper; these flexibleOLEDs are usually flexible but not foldable. A third form of flexibleOLED is rollable and has a shape memory. Any of the theses flexibleOLEDs types are suitable for use herein. Typically, the flexible OLED isbent over and attached to a curved sub-structure or stationary frameworkthat provides structural support and maintains a desired curvature.Other digital display devices with curved surfaces are suitable for useand include a front projection display, or a rear projection display,LCD glass, transparent OLED, and fOLED.

In a specific embodiment, a flexible OLED changes shape over time. Forexample, one or more actuators may move points of the flexible OLED tomechanically deform the display and achieve a desired shape. This may bedone to change a curved and flexible OLED to a convex shape, serpentineshapes, a curvature similar to a reel, a flat curvature, etc. Theseshape changes may occur in real time.

In one embodiment, all the layered displays are configured (spatiallyand using video provided to each display device) to resemble atraditional mechanical slot machine. In this case, curvature of thecurved surface for interior display device 18 d substantially resemblesthe curvature of a traditional mechanical reel. While traditionalmechanical reels come in a variety of diameters and widths that thecurved surface of display device 18 d may mimic in diameter, width,and/or curvature, traditional mechanical reels were typically circularand the curvature was relatively constant. To resemble a traditionalmechanical slot machine then, the curved surface of interior displaydevice 18 d may then include a circular surface of a suitable diameter.

In a specific embodiment, the interior display device 18 d includes aflexible OLED that is bent to resemble mechanical slot reels. The curvedsurface is then produced by the final shape of the bent and flexibleOLED, which may be fixed to a cylinder or support of a desired diameterto preserve the curved shape. The curved OLED then outputs ‘virtual slotreels’, or video information resembling slot reels.

The curved digital display device permits remote and digitalreconfiguration of video output by display device 18 d. For example,display device 18 d and its curved surface is well suited to displayvideo reel games that mimic mechanical reels that were used in olderslot machines (and are still popular in the gaming industry). Thedigital nature of display device 18 d, however, permits the reel game tobe changed as games are downloaded to the gaming machine. For example,the symbols on the reels may be changed to present a new reel game.Thus, new symbols or a different number of symbols may be used in thenew game. Alternatively, the number of reels may be changed. Displaydevice 18 d may output color video or black and white video, dependingon the game or display device technology used.

Referring to either arrangement of FIG. 1A or 1B, the portions ofproximate display devices 18 a and 18 b along line of sight 20 aresignificantly transparent or translucent. Pixilated element panels onmany non-emissive displays such as LCD panels are largely invisible to aviewer. More specifically, many display technologies, such aselectroluminescent displays and LCD panels, include portions that aretransparent when no video images are displayed thereon. For example, anelectroluminescent display may utilize non-organic phosphors that areboth transparent and emissive (such as a tOLED), and addressed throughtransparent row and column drivers. Pixilated element panels on LCDpanels are also available in significantly transparent or translucentdesigns that permit a person to see through the pixilated panels whennot locally displaying an image.

Portions of touchscreen 16 and light valve 18 e are also translucent ortransparent, or alternatively have the capacity to be translucent ortransparent in response to control signals from a processor included inthe gaming machine. When portions (or all) of the screens fortouchscreen 16, display devices 18 a and 18 b, and light valve 18 e aretransparent or translucent, a player can simultaneously see imagesdisplayed on the display screen 18 a and 18 b—as well as the imagesdisplayed on the interior display devices 18 c or 18 d—by lookingthrough the transparent portions of proximate display devices.

Accordingly, the present invention can display co-acting or overlappingimages to a person (see FIGS. 2-5). For example, front display devices18 a or 18 b may display paylines that illuminate winning combinationsreels disposed on display devices 18 c or 18 d. In addition, the layereddisplay devices may also provide 3D images that include a combination ofvirtual 3D graphics on images on each screen and 3D output between thelayered display devices.

In one embodiment, exterior display device 18 a includes centralportions that are transparent to permit viewing of the virtual slotreels that are shown on the curved surface of display device 18 d, whileperipheral portions of the exterior display device 18 a show a pay tableor other game relevant information, such as whether a bonus game orprogressive game is available. Intermediate display device 18 e mayinclude a light valve or light pipe with transparent windows that permitviewing of the virtual slot reels on the curved OLED. Alternatively, theintermediate display device may include a transparent LCD 18 b that hasa) transparent windows to permit viewing of the virtual slot wheels andb) other information such as a bonus game. In any of theseconfigurations, a person can simultaneously view graphicalrepresentation of all the images: the interior virtual reels, theintermediate bonus game, and the external pay table.

The present invention also permits a casino or gaming establishment tochange video on each of the layered display devices, and theirtransparency, without physically altering the gaming machine orrequiring maintenance. Thus, the number of virtual slot reels on thecurved OLED may be changed from 3 to 5 to 9 or some other number, whilethe intermediate and exterior display devices change the position oftheir transparent windows for viewing of the different number of virtualslot reels. Also, a pay table shown on display device 18 a may bechanged at will, in addition to changing weather a bonus or progressivegame is shown on the intermediate display device.

FIG. 1C is an exploded perspective view of a display device arrangement70 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.Arrangement 70 includes a front video display device 90, rear curveddisplay device 92, light valve 93 and backlight 91 arranged along acommon line of sight 89.

Front video display device 90 includes a flat display screenincorporating flat-panel display technology. This may include a liquidcrystal display (LCD), a transparent light emitting diode (LED) display,an electroluminescent display (ELD), and a microelectromechanical device(MEM) display, such as a digital micromirror device (DMD) display or agrating light valve (GLV) display, etc. A display screen of the frontvideo display device 90 may further include organic display technologiessuch as an organic electroluminescent (OEL) display and an organic lightemitting diode (OLED) display, as well as a light emitting polymerdisplay. In addition, the front video display device 90 may include atouch-sensitive display that facilitates user input and interactionbetween a person and gaming machine.

In many of above examples, display device 90 incorporates emissivedisplay technology. That is, the display screen, such as anelectroluminescent display, is capable of emitting light and isself-illuminating. However, some display device technologies, such as anLCD, are not emissive. In other words, a non-emissive display generallydoes not emit light or emits only low amounts of light, and is notself-illuminating. In the case of non-emissive displays for the frontvideo display device 90, display system 70 may include a backlight 91 toprovide luminescence to video images displayed on the front videodisplay device 90. As mentioned above, many display devices suitable foruse as front video display device 90 are significantly transparent whenportions of the display include no images are provided on thoseportions.

Rear display device 92 includes a digital display device with a curvedsurface. In this case, rear display unit 92 includes a curved OLEDdevice on a stationary cylindrical support. As shown, rear displaydevice 92 includes video output that resembles multiple mechanicalreels. The video output may be presented such that the video reelsappear rotatable and that each includes a plurality of reel imagesdisposed on each reel. Each video reel may also include illuminationthat resembles a light element used in traditional mechanical reels toilluminate the reel images or other portions of the mechanical reel.

A light valve 93 is disposed between front video display device 90 andrear display device 92, and may include a light valve as described abovewith respect to light valve 18 e.

In operation, when the light valve 93 is opaque, or substantiallyopaque, a player's view of the rear display device 92 is obscured orobstructed. The light valve 93 may also be translucent and providevarying degrees of visibility of the rear display device 92 through theopening, thereby varying the visibility of the rear display device 92(e.g., gradually “dimming” or “brightening” the visibility of the reardisplay device 92). Varying the translucency of light valve 93 causesvisibility of rear display device 92 to range from allowing the playerto view and recognize images on rear display device 92 to merelyallowing light and color through without being able to distinguish theimages.

Front video display device 90 may include one or more openings thatallow a player to view the rear display device 92 when the light valve93 is transparent or substantially transparent. In this case, frontvideo display device 90 includes a single opening 94 that is alignedwith the location of video reels output on rear display device 92.Likewise, if provided with a backlight 91, the backlight 91 includes oneor more openings 95 that coincide with opening 94 of the front videodisplay unit 90. The openings 94, 95 allow a player to see at least aportion of the rear display unit 92 when the light valve 93 istransparent. Rear display unit 92 may also be visible when the lightvalve 93 is translucent, though this may depend on the degree to whichthe light valve 93 is translucent. Front video display unit 90 mayinclude additional openings 96, 97, 98 and 99 to view additionalinformation displayed on rear display unit 92. For example, one or moreof the reel images may be viewable by a player through central openings94 and 95, whereas additional display units, such as static displays orvideo displays, may be included as part of the rear display unit 92 andvisible to the player through the openings 96, 97, 98 and 99.Corresponding openings (not shown) may be provided in the backlight 91to match openings 96, 97, 98 and 99.

Openings 94, 96, 97, 98 and 99 in front video display device 90 may beprovided as physical openings in the front video display device 90.Physical openings may be formed by forming openings in the displayscreen material and connecting the resulting edges to appropriate videocontrol lines for row and column addressing to display video images onthe remaining display screen. Physical openings may also be formed byusing multiple smaller, interconnected display screens for front videodisplay device 90, which are arranged to leave spacing between thedisplay screens to form the openings. Alternatively, the openings 94,96, 97, 98 and 99 may be provided as virtual openings. For example, iffront video display device 90 includes a transparent display screen,such as an electroluminescent display, front video display device 90 mayappear transparent when a video image is not displayed. By selectivelypreventing images from being displayed on certain portions of frontvideo display device 90 using row and column addressing, virtualopenings may be formed that allow a player to see through the frontvideo display unit 90. If front video display device 90 includes an LCD,or other non-emissive display, with a backlight 91, physical openingsmay also be formed in the backlight 91 causing any image on the LCD infront of the openings 95 to be virtually invisible to the player withoutlighting from the rear.

If light valve 93 is transparent, a person may see through the virtualopenings of display device 90 to view an image on rear display device92. Video images may also be displayed on portions of front videodisplay device 90 that do not correspond to openings 94, 96, 97, 98 or99, whether physical or virtual. However, if openings 94, 96, 97, 98 and99 are provided as virtual openings, video images may be displayed onthe portions of front video display device 90 corresponding to thevirtual openings. The video images may be displayed on the virtualopenings when light valve 93 is opaque (or translucent). Video imagesmay also be displayed on the virtual openings when the light valve istransparent, thereby superimposing the video images on an imagedisplayed on the rear display unit 92.

Display screens for any of the display devices described above may haveany suitable shape, such as flat, relatively flat, concave, convex, andnon-uniform shapes. In one embodiment, the display devices are allrelatively flat display screens. LCD panels for example typicallyinclude a relatively flat display screen. OLED display devices may alsoinclude a relatively flat display surface. Alternatively, an OLEDdisplay device may include a non-uniform and custom shape such as acurved surface, e.g., a convex or concave surface. Such a curved convexsurface is particularly well suited to provide video information thatresembles a mechanical reel. The OLED display device differs from atraditional mechanical reel in that the OLED display device permits thenumber of reels or symbols on each reel to be digitally changed andreconfigured, as desired, without mechanically disassembling a gamingmachine.

Relative arrangement of the display devices may vary with shape of therespective display screens. In a specific embodiment, the multipledisplay devices include more than one relatively flat screen surface andthe flat screens are positioned in planes that are about parallel to oneanother. For instance, two layered display devices may include LCDpanels arranged in parallel with a light source disposed behind theinterior LCD panel (for backlighting) or at the sides of each LCD panel.Alternatively, the external display device may include a transparent LCDpanel while the back most display device includes a cathode ray tube(CRT) or other light source such as a plasma screen, where the screensfor each device are approximately arranged in parallel. The displayscreens may be positioned in planes that are not parallel to oneanother, provided that at least one (and possibly multiple) line ofsight commonly intersects portions of display surfaces for each displaydevices. For example, screens for display devices 18 a and 18 b of FIG.1A are positioned in about parallel planes.

In one embodiment, a predetermined distance “D” separates the displayscreens for the multiple display devices. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, apredetermined distance, D, separates screens for the proximate displaydevices and represents the distance from the display surface of displaydevice 18 a to display surface of display device 18 b (FIG. 1A) ordisplay device 18 e (FIG. 1B). This distance can be any distance asdesired by a gaming machine manufacturer. It should be appreciated thatin one embodiment, the display screens can be positioned adjacent toeach other such that only the thickness of the display screens separatesthe display surfaces. In this case, the distance D depends on thethickness of the exterior display screen.

The multiple display devices may each generate their own graphics andimages, or cooperate to provide coordinated visual output. For example,a game that includes a wooded environment with trees may include treeson the first and foremost display device 18 a, trees on the intermediatedisplay device 18 b, and trees on the interior display device 18 c ofFIG. 1A. Objects and graphics in this game may then appear on any threeof the display devices, where the opaque trees on the proximatescreen(s) block the view objects on the distal screen(s), depending onthe position of the viewer relative to the screens. This provides actualperspective between the graphics objects, which represents a real-lifecomponent of 3D visualization (and not just perspective virtuallycreated on a single screen).

Although the present invention has shown three exemplary display devicearrangements so far, other arrangements are suitable for use. Oneembodiment includes an exterior transparent LCD panel, an intermediateLCD panel or light valve, and an internal OLED device. Anotherembodiment includes an exterior touchscreen over an exterior transparentLCD panel, an intermediate LCD panel, and an internal curved OLEDdevice. In general, the present invention may include any combination ofthe digital display devices mentioned above and arranged in a commonline of sight.

A gaming machine uses the layered display devices to show visualinformation on the different screens that a player can simultaneouslysee. Various game presentations and uses of the layered display deviceswill now be discussed.

In a specific example, the gaming machine generates a game image on aninterior display device and a flashing translucent image on a proximatedisplay device. The game could for example, be reels or one or morewheels, and a flashing image on the proximate display could be atranslucent line that indicates the payline(s) on the reels. Since somegames permit multiple paylines based on the person's wager, this permitsthe game to show multiple paylines responsive to the person's actions.Alternatively, the proximate display may show a symbol or message thatprovides a player with helpful information such as a hint for playingthe game. Notably, each of these examples allows the person to play thegame while viewing the flashing image without having to change his orher line of sight or having to independently find such information fromanother portion of the gaming machine.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate one game example where curved display device18 d outputs a video reel image 142 a in accordance with a specificembodiment of the present invention. The exterior display device 18 adisplays a paytable image 146 and paylines 144. When the exteriordisplay device 18 a and the interior display device 18 d present theirimages simultaneously, the player views the overall graphicalrepresentation or display, through the frontmost display device 18 a, asillustrated in FIG. 2B. In this example, the paylines are actually infront of the reels and the paytable is above the reels.

In another example, exterior display device 18 a displays anadvertisement image in place of the paytable image 146. Theadvertisement image may include the casino that controls the gamingmachine, a business such as a restaurant that has paid the casino forthe advertising space, etc. This enables a player to simultaneously viewthe reel image 142 b, the payline image 144 and the advertising withouthaving to change his or her line of sight.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary display 300 that may be shown on the displaysystem 70 of FIG. 1C during performance of a slots routine using reelsdisplay on the curved display device 92, in accordance with anotherspecific embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, lightvalve 93 has been deactivated to allow images on rear display device 92to be visible. A player is able to view portions of the video reelsthrough the openings 94 in the front video display device 90. Additionalgraphics may also be displayed by the rear display device 92 and viewedthrough the various openings in the front video display unit 90. Forexample, a name of the game routine being played may be viewed throughopening 96, a current bet may be viewed through opening 97, a number ofremaining credits may be viewed in opening 98, and a minimum bet may bedisplayed in opening 99. Additional graphics relating to the gameroutine may be displayed on the front video display device 90. Forexample, the front video display device 90 may include video images of aplurality of player selectable buttons to allow the player to controlthe play of the slots game. The buttons may include a “See Pays” button302, a “Cash Out” button 304, a “Spin” button 306, and a “Max Bet”button 308. Player information may also be generated as a video image310 on the front video display device 90. The player information videoimage 310 may include the player's name, the player's winnings, theplayer's profile, the player's wagers, the player's favorite games, etc.If provided as virtual openings, additional graphics (not shown) may begenerated on the portions of the front video display device 90corresponding to one or more of the openings 94, 96, 97, 98, 99 andsuperimposed over images on the rear display device 92 that are viewedthrough the openings 94, 96, 97, 98, 99.

FIG. 4 shows exemplary video output 320 shown on display system 70 ofFIG. 1C when light valve 93 has been activated to obscure the images onrear display device 92. As seen in FIG. 4, a player viewing the videodisplay system 70 is unable to see the rear display device 92 throughthe various openings 94, 96, 97, 98, 99 in the front video display unit90.

The video output 320 as shown in FIG. 4 may relate to a display shownduring an attraction sequence. Attraction graphics may be generated onthe front video display device 90, which may include a video image 322of a scrolling list of games that may be played on a gaming machine, anda video image 324 of instructions for initiating a new game. Althoughnot shown, images or games other than spinning reels may be generated onthe openings 94, 96, 97, 98, 99 if provided as virtual openings.

These examples illustrate the capability of a gaming machine of thepresent invention to enable a player to view different types ofinformation and different types of images by looking at and through anexterior display screen. In some cases, the images displayed on thedifferent display screens are positioned such that the images do notoverlap (that is, the images are not superimposed). In other instances,the images overlap. It should also be appreciated that the imagesdisplayed on the display screen can fade-in fade out or pulsate tocreate additional affects.

In one embodiment, the gaming machine presents different game types onthe layered display devices. For example, the interior and backmostdisplay device may output a main game while a proximate display deviceshows a bonus game or progressive game. The bonus game or progressivegame may result from playing the main game. Again, this permits theplayer to play the game while viewing a flashing bonus image withouthaving to change his or her line of sight or having to independentlyfind such information from another portion of the gaming machine.

Visual information on each of the distal screens remains visible as longas there are transparent or semi-transparent portions on the proximatescreens that permit a user to see through these portions. Transparentportions may be selectively designed and timely activated according togame design, and changed according to game play. For example, if a gamedesigner wants a person to focus on a bonus game on the front screen,they can use an intermediate light valve to black out the distal reelgame on the interior curved OLED device.

In one embodiment, the gaming machine permits digital reconfiguration,which allows a single gaming machine to offer different games atdifferent times. The games may be downloaded to the gaming machine via anetwork connection, or stored in memory for the gaming machine.

The present invention also permits display device reconfiguration. Onone day, the gaming machine may offer games using all the layereddisplay devices. The next day, the same gaming machine may offer a gamethat only uses an outer LCD panel and touchscreen, where a shutter (orother technology on front display) blocks out the back display devices.Some other subset of the layered displays may also be used. This permitsdual-dynamic display device reconfiguration and/or game reconfiguration,at will, by downloading commands to the gaming machine that determine a)what game(s) is played, and b) what display device(s) is used. Forexample, this allows the same gaming machine to run a reel game one dayand a video poker game another day that uses some subset of the displaydevices.

This reconfiguration of display devices used and games also enables newuses for gaming machines. Traditionally, a casino or other gamingestablishment purchased a gaming machine and offered games onlyaccording to its display capabilities. If a casino purchased 250 gamingmachines that only had LCD panels, and then later decided they wanted toimplement reel games or other games that required more than an LCDpanel, they were forced to purchase new gaming machines. The presentinvention, however, solves this problem for a casino. Accordingly,gaming machines as described herein permit a gaming establishment to a)switch games, at will, to any games offered by the multiple displaydevices, and b) switch display devices, again, at will.

One business advantage of this dual-dynamic display devicereconfiguration and/or game reconfiguration is navigating gamingregulations imposed by different jurisdictions, which often change overtime. First, each jurisdiction imposes its own set of rules on whatgames are locally permissible. Second, gaming regulators in eachjurisdiction often change the local rules. This is particularly commonfor new gaming regulators and jurisdictions allowing casinos for thefirst time. The new gaming regulators may only permit class 2 games atfirst (e.g., video poker on an LCD panel) and later permit class 3 games(bingo and reel games, one year later). The present invention allows anew casino in this jurisdiction to adapt, instantly, to a regulationschange with a) new games and b) new display device arrangements thatwere already on the gaming machine but not previously used. Thus, whensome jurisdictions limit the number and types of games that can beplayed, the present invention allows a casino to switch games—on the flywithout significant gaming machine maintenance or downtime in thecasino—when jurisdiction rules change.

The present invention contemplates numerous combinations of video andco-acting images on the multiple display devices. For example, thepresent invention may include any combination of the options listedbelow for: a) an exterior display device, b) an intermediate displaydevice and/or light filter, and c) the interior display device.

a) Video information output by the exterior display device may include:a primary, secondary or bonus game; a primary, secondary or tertiarypart of a video game presented in conjunction with the other displaydevices; advertising information; a pay table; information regarding aprimary, secondary or bonus game such as instructions, hints anddirections; television, movie or other entertainment video; textual,graphic, or other information such as the name of the casino; etc. Theexterior display device may also act as a filter to selectively block aperson's view of any distal display devices, or portions thereof.

b) Video information output by the intermediate display device mayinclude: a primary, secondary or bonus game; a primary, secondary ortertiary part of a video game presented in conjunction with the otherdisplay devices; advertising information; a pay table; informationregarding a primary, secondary or bonus game such as instructions, hintsand directions; television, movie or other entertainment video; textual,graphic, or other information such as the name of the casino; etc. Theintermediate display device may also act as a filter to selectivelyblock a person's view of the interior display device, or portionsthereof.

c) Video information output by the distal display device may include: aprimary, secondary or bonus game; a primary, secondary or tertiary partof a video game presented in conjunction with the other display devices;advertising information; a pay table; information regarding a primary,secondary or bonus game such as instructions, hints and directions;television, movie or other entertainment video; textual, graphic, orother information such as the name of the casino; etc.

An intermediate shutter may also be used for blackout purposes. In thiscase, the shutter turns black and blocks view of the interior displaydevice when the gaming machine experiences some disturbance. Forexample, it is often desirable to blackout the interior display deviceduring safety, power-outage and tilt situations, or during any othercondition where game results may be questioned. Maintenance miscues mayalso lead to gaming machine disturbances, e.g., maintenance personnelleft the door open. This provides a method for protecting the integrityof game results on the interior display device, such as a reel game, byensuring that games are only viewable to a player when the gamingmachine is operating correctly.

As mentioned above, the present invention improves 3D graphicspresentation for a gaming machine. Layered display devices of thepresent invention permit both virtual 3D graphics (created within asingle screen) and actual 3D graphics (created between screens). Morespecifically, each screen permits 3D graphics rendering on that screento create virtual effects of perceived depth. Also, each display deviceprovides a viewing surface or face—with a different depth along thecommon line of sight relative to a viewer—for displaying one or more 3Dgraphics (partial or hole) to the viewer.

Characterization of 3D graphics may vary. The 3D presentation mayinclude actual three-dimensional space characterizations, such as x, yand z coordinates. In one embodiment, the z-dimension refers to thedepth or distance that separates screens for the multiple displaydevices. In a specific embodiment, the z-dimension is measured along thecommon line of sight between multiple display devices. Images created onthe multiple displays may thus have an actual and physical depthdimension. For 3D graphics rendering, this permits graphics with awidth, height and (virtual and/or actual) depth. In a specificembodiment, width and height of graphics are measured along an x-axisand y-axis of screen surfaces for each of the display devices. Depth maythen be measured along a z-axis that passes through a portion of each ofthe multiple screens along a common line of sight. In some cases, one ormore of the screens are relatively flat, and this z-axis passesrelatively perpendicular to each of the screens.

A visual presentation typically includes multiple graphics components.The layered display devices may cooperate to provide 3D visualpresentation by each displaying their own 3D graphics components orparts. For example, the multiple display devices may cooperate todisplay a 3D image by separately displaying different parts of the wholeimage on each of the display screens. In this case, a proximate displaydevice shows one portion of the 3D image, while a distal or underlyingdisplay device shows another portion of the 3D image. As result, thegaming machine shows a 3D representation that is formed in threephysical or actual dimensions: an x and y of the proximate displayscreen, an x and y of the distal display screen, and a depth, D, or zdimension of the image that is at least partially dependent on thedistance between the two display devices. A third display device may beused to add another set of x and y dimensions and another depth, D,along the z dimension.

In one embodiment, each of the display devices shows virtual 3D images,and controls the perception of depth in each screen. This permitscollective 3D images provided by the multiple display devices to cause aplayer to perceive a depth that is based or derived from a combinationof virtual depth and the actual depth, D. For example, a gaming machineprocessor may use or multiply the actual depth, D, by a factor togenerate a perceived depth in rendered 3D images for each of the screensthat cooperates with the actual depth, D. This permits a game designerto change the perceived depth of the entire 3D image by manipulating thevirtual depth to thereby modify the perceived combination of virtual andactual depths.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show exemplary video data output on the display devices18 and gaming machine 10 of FIG. 1A. Again, gaming machine 10 of FIG. 1Aincludes an exterior or frontmost display device 18 a, a middle orintermediate display device 18 b, and an interior or backmost displaydevice 18 c. The frontmost display device 18 a displays a virtual 3Dfirst reel image 132 on a portion of its display screen 134. All otherportions 133 of screen 134 are translucent or transparent. Theintermediate display device 18 b shows a virtual three dimensional reelimage 135 on one portion of its display screen 136, while all otherportions 137 of screen 136 are translucent or transparent. The thirddisplay device 18 c displays a virtual 3D reel image 138 and abackground image 139 covering the portions of its screen 131 outsidereel image 138. These three display screens 134, 137 and 131simultaneously display each respective image to enable a player to seean overall 3D image, as illustrated in the FIG. 5B (illustrated in twodimensions, that is), of all three reels in a 3D format by lookingthrough the first display screen 134.

FIGS. 5C and 5D show exemplary poker video data output on the displaydevices 18 and gaming machine 10 of FIG. 1A in accordance with anotherspecific embodiment. As will be described in further detail below, thevideo nature of the present invention allows games and video data to bereconfigured at will by a controller on the gaming machine. For example,a reel game (e.g. FIG. 5B) or video poker game (e.g. FIG. 5D) may beselected in real-time. This is useful for reconfigurable gaming machinesthat offer multiple games and select a specific game for play when aplayer approaches a gaming machine (and is identified by the machine);in this case, the video reels may reset immediately for a game for thatperson. For the video poker game shown in FIG. 5D, the frontmost displaydevice 18 a displays a virtual 3D first reel image 143 with poker cardvalues. Again, all other portions 133 of screen 134 are translucent ortransparent. The intermediate display device 18 b shows a virtual threedimensional reel image 145 on one portion of its display screen 136,while all other portions 137 of screen 136 are translucent ortransparent. The third display device 18 c displays a virtual 3D reelimage 147 with poker card values and a background image 149 covering theportions of its screen 131 outside reel image 147. Display screens 134,137 and 131 simultaneously display each respective poker image to enablea player to see an overall 3D image, as illustrated in the FIG. 5D, fora 3-card poker game. The number of reels may also change from 3 to 5 or7 to permit a 5-card poker game or a 7-card poker game. Configuration ofthe reels on each screen may vary. For a five card game, two reels maybe included on front screen 134, two reels on middle screen 137 and onereel on the back screen 131. Other card and reel configurations aresuitable for use herein.

Although it is not fully apparent by viewing the 2D representation shownin FIGS. 5B and 5D, the overall video display (whether still oranimated) of FIG. 5B provides an engaging 3D representation because thethree reel images are formed in different planes and actual 3D space.Specifically, the representation of reel 132 being closer to the playerthan the reel 135 is based upon and determined by the actual distancebetween the first display screen 134 and the second display screen 137.Similarly, the representation of the reel 135 being closer to the playerthan the reel 138 is based upon and determined by the actual distance(not shown), which separates the second display screen 137 from thethird display screen 139.

Thus, by simultaneously displaying different images (partially orwholly) on layered display devices of the present invention, the gamingmachine achieves 3D video output in three actual dimensions. A personcan physically move and change their perspective relative to the layereddisplays and look around the reel 132 on the first display screen 134,thus gaining a different view of reel image 135 the intermediate displayscreen 136 and a different view of reel 138.

Curvature of the interior display device 18 d of FIG. 1B also adds realdepth for the creation of 3D visual output. For reels, the reel symbolspass from top to bottom (or vice versa) of the curved device and thusmove towards and away from the viewer in real space as they do so, whichnot only simulates traditional mechanical reels better, but also adds toreal 3D effects of the layered displays. This type of three-dimensionalrepresentation is highly engaging and interesting to players becausesymbols on the reel are actually formed or generated in all threedimensions.

In another 3D video output embodiment, an image of a card dealer,displayed on an interior display device, deals cards that are shown onan exterior display device. This provides a person with athree-dimensional view of the card game in which the cards physicallycome forward between the display devices.

In a specific embodiment, a gaming machine includes a sensor such as acamera or other suitable device to detect position of a player or theplayer's head. When the player's head moves (e.g., translates or rotatesleft, right, up or down), images on one or more of the display deviceschange to provide a virtual impression to the player that the player canlook around an object or images on the display devices, which provides abetter impression of 3D reality.

One of the display devices in a layered arrangement may also output livevideo such as television or a movie (or parts of either). For example,the television or movie video may be output on a rear display while agame is played on a proximate display. This permits a person to watchtelevision or a movie while playing a game at a gaming machine, withoutchanging position or line of sight to switch between the game and livevideo. The live video may also be related to the game being played toenhance enjoyment of that game, e.g., a science fiction movie related toa science fiction game being played or a 1960's television show relatedto a 1960's television game. The video may also play commercials for thegaming establishment, such as advertisements and infomercials forbusinesses related to a casino or businesses that pay for theadvertising opportunity. Advertisements may include those for a localrestaurant, local shows, -house offers and promotions currently offered,menus for food, etc.

The present invention may employ a wide variety of gaming machines. Forexample, the present invention may be used with a gaming machineprovided by IGT of Reno, Nev. Gaming machines from other manufacturersmay also employ layered display systems as described herein. FIGS. 6Aand 6B illustrate an exemplary gaming machine 10 for use according toone embodiment of the present invention.

Gaming machine 10 includes a top box 11 and a main cabinet 12, whichgenerally surrounds the machine interior and is viewable by users. Maincabinet 12 includes a main door 38 on the front of the machine, whichopens to provide access to the interior of the machine. Attached to themain door are typically one or more player-input switches or buttons 39;one or more money or credit acceptors, such as a coin acceptor 42, and abill or ticket scanner 23; a coin tray 24; and a belly glass 25.Viewable through main door 38 is the exterior video display monitor 18 aand one or more information panels 27.

Top box 11, which typically rests atop of the main cabinet 12, may alsocontain a ticket printer 28, a keypad 29, one or more additionaldisplays 30, a card reader 31, one or more speakers 32, a top glass 33and a camera 34. Other components and combinations are also possible, asis the ability of the top box to contain one or more items traditionallyreserved for main cabinet locations, and vice versa.

It will be readily understood that gaming machine 10 can be adapted forpresenting and playing any of a number of games and gaming events,particularly games of chance involving a player wager and potentialmonetary payout, such as, for example, a wager on a sporting event orgeneral play as a slot machine game, a keno game, a video poker game, avideo blackjack game, and/or any other video table game, among others.While gaming machine 10 is usually adapted for live game play with aphysically present player, it is also contemplated that such a gamingmachine may also be adapted for remote game play with a player at aremote gaming terminal. Such an adaptation preferably involvescommunication from the gaming machine to at least one outside location,such as a remote gaming terminal itself, as well as the incorporation ofa gaming network that is capable of supporting a system of remote gamingwith multiple gaming machines and/or multiple remote gaming terminals.

Gaming machine 10 may also be a “dummy” machine, kiosk or gamingterminal, in that all processing may be done at a remote server, withonly the external housing, displays, and pertinent inputs and outputsbeing available to a player. Further, it is also worth noting that theterm “gaming machine” may also refer to a wide variety of gamingmachines in addition to traditional free standing gaming machines. Suchother gaming machines can include kiosks, set-top boxes for use withtelevisions in hotel rooms and elsewhere, and many server based systemsthat permit players to log in and play remotely, such as at a personalcomputer or PDA. All such gaming machines can be considered “gamingmachines” for purposes of the present invention and followingdiscussion, with all of the disclosed metering techniques and devicesbeing adaptable for such uses of alternative gaming machines anddevices.

With reference to FIG. 1B, the gaming machine of FIG. 1A is illustratedin perspective view with its main door opened. In additional to thevarious exterior items described above, such as top box 11, main cabinet12 and primary video display monitor 26, gaming machine 10 alsocomprises a variety of internal components. As will be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art, gaming machine 10 contains avariety of locks and mechanisms, such as main door lock 36 and latch 37.Internal portions of coin acceptor 22 and bill or ticket scanner 23 canalso be seen, along with the physical meters associated with theseperipheral devices. Processing system 50 includes computer architecturefor interacting with and implementing a retinal image system, as will bediscussed in further detail below.

When a person wishes to play a gaming machine 10, he or she providescoins, cash or a credit device to a scanner included in the gamingmachine. The scanner may comprise a bill scanner or a similar deviceconfigured to read printed information on a credit device such as apaper ticket or magnetic scanner that reads information from a plasticcard. The credit device may be stored in the interior of the gamingmachine. During interaction with the gaming machine, the person viewsgame information using a video display. Usually, during the course of agame, a player is required to make a number of decisions that affect theoutcome of the game. The player makes these choices using a set ofplayer-input switches.

After the player has completed interaction with the gaming machine, theplayer may receive a portable credit device from the machine thatincludes any credit resulting from interaction with the gaming machine.By way of example, the portable credit device may be a ticket having adollar value produced by a printer within the gaming machine. A recordof the credit value of the device may be stored in a memory deviceprovided on a gaming machine network (e.g., a memory device associatedwith validation terminal and/or processing system in the network). Anycredit on some devices may be used for further games on other gamingmachines 10. Alternatively, the player may redeem the device at adesignated change booth or pay machine.

A gaming machine of the present invention can be used to play anyprimary game, bonus game, progressive or other type of game. In oneembodiment, the gaming machine includes a game that enables a player tohave inputs and interaction that are associated with a depth orz-dimension extending into and through the face of a frontmost displaysurface. This type of 3D game play can be suitable for wagering gameswhich, by their original design, are 3D, such as blackjack, poker,roulette, and other casino games including, but not limited to, skilland perceived-skill games. Other wagering games can enable a player tocause different events to occur based upon how hard the player pushes ona touch screen. For example, a player could cause reels or objects tomove faster by pressing harder on the exterior touch screen. In thesetypes of games, the gaming machine can enable the player to interact inthe 3D by varying the amount of pressure the player applies to atouchscreen.

In another embodiment, the gaming machine enables a player to play twoor more games on two or more display screens at the same time or atdifferent times. For example, a player can play two related games on twoof the display screens simultaneously. In another example, once a playerdeposits currency to initiate the gaming machine, the gaming machine mayenable the player to chose from one or more games to play on differentscreens. In yet another example, the gaming machine can include amulti-level bonus scheme that enables a player to advance to differentbonus rounds that are displayed and played on different display screens.

Some gaming machines may include a touchscreen that permits forcedifferentiation that allows a person to separately access each displaylayer in a layered display configuration. This includes gaming machinesoftware and control that reads the amount of force applied by a personand reactively associates this force with video data on a particularscreen or layer.

As indicated above, a gaming machine of the present invention alsoenables a person to view information and graphics generated on onedisplay screen while playing a game that is generated on another displayscreen. Such information and graphics can include game paytables,game-related information, entertaining graphics, background, history orgame theme-related information or information not related to the game,such as advertisements. The gaming machine can display this informationand graphics adjacent to a game, underneath or behind a game or on topof a game. For example, a gaming machine could display paylines on thefrontmost display screen and also display a reel game on an underlyingdisplay screen, and the paylines could fade in and fade outperiodically.

A gaming machine includes one or more processors and memory thatcooperate to output games and gaming interaction functions from storedmemory. FIG. 7 illustrates a control configuration for use in a gamingmachine in accordance with another specific embodiment of the presentinvention.

Processor 132 is a microprocessor or microcontroller-based platform thatis capable of causing a display system 18 to output video data such assymbols, cards, images of people, characters, places, and objects whichfunction in the gaming device. Processor 132 may include a commerciallyavailable microprocessor provided by a variety of vendors known to thoseof skill in the art. The present invention may also include one or moreapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or other hardwireddevices. Furthermore, although the processor 132 and memory device 134reside on each gaming machine, it is possible to provide some or all oftheir functions at a central location such as a network server forcommunication to a playing station such as over a local area network(LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet connection, microwave link, andthe like.

Memory 134 may include one or more memory modules, flash memory oranother type of conventional memory that stores executable programs thatare used by the processing system to control components in a layereddisplay system system. Memory 134 can include any suitable softwareand/or hardware structure for storing data, including a tape, CD-ROM,floppy disk, hard disk or any other optical or magnetic storage media.Memory 134 may also include a) random access memory (RAM) 140 forstoring event data or other data generated or used during a particulargame and b) read only memory (ROM) 142 for storing program code thatcontrols functions on the gaming machine such as playing a game.

A player uses one or more input devices 138, such as a pull arm, playbutton, bet button or cash out button to input signals into the gamingmachine. One or more of these functions could also be employed on atouch screen. In such embodiments, the gaming machine includes a touchscreen controller 16 a that communicates with a video controller 146 andprocessor 132. A player can input signals into the gaming machine bytouching the appropriate locations on the touchscreen.

Processor 132 is also connected to a currency acceptor 116 such as thecoin slot or bill acceptor. Processor 132 can operate instructions thatrequire a player to deposit a certain amount of money in order to startthe game.

Although the processing system shown in FIG. 7 is one specificprocessing system, it is by no means the only processing systemarchitecture on which the present invention can be implemented.Regardless of the processing system configuration, it may employ one ormore memories or memory modules configured to store program instructionsfor gaming machine network operations and operations associated withlayered display systems described herein. Such memory or memories mayalso be configured to store player interactions, player interactioninformation, and other instructions related to steps described herein,instructions for one or more games played on the gaming machine, etc.

Because such information and program instructions may be employed toimplement the systems/methods described herein, the present inventionrelates to machine-readable media that include program instructions,state information, etc. for performing various operations describedherein. Examples of machine-readable media include, but are not limitedto, magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape;optical media such as CD-ROM disks; magneto-optical media such asfloptical disks; and hardware devices that are specially configured tostore and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory devices(ROM) and random access memory (RAM). The invention may also be embodiedin a carrier wave traveling over an appropriate medium such as airwaves,optical lines, electric lines, etc. Examples of program instructionsinclude both machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and filescontaining higher-level code that may be executed by the computer usingan interpreter.

The processing system may offer any type of primary game, bonus roundgame or other game. In one embodiment, a gaming machine permits a playerto play two or more games on two or more display screens at the sametime or at different times. For example, a player can play two relatedgames on two of the display screens simultaneously. In another example,once a player deposits currency to initiate the gaming device, thegaming machine allows a person to choose from one or more games to playon different display screens. In yet another example, the gaming devicecan include a multi-level bonus scheme that allows a player to advanceto different bonus rounds that are displayed and played on differentdisplay screens.

The present invention also relates to methods imparted using a gamingmachine with a layered display. FIG. 8 is flowchart or software routineof a display routine 250 that may be executed by a gaming machinecontroller in accordance with a specific embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 8 also makes reference to the display system arrangementof FIG. 1C.

At block 252, the routine may determine whether a game has beeninitiated. If a game has been initiated, the routine may deactivatelight valve 93 and cause the light valve to become transparent at block254. Depending on the particular light valve 93 being utilized,deactivating the light valve 93 may involve either applying (orincreasing) a current to the light valve 93 or discontinuing (ordecreasing) the current being applied to the light valve 93.

At block 256, the routine generates graphics on the rear display unit 92related to the game. If provided with video slot machine reels, thereels of the rear display unit 92 are illuminated. Other video outputand graphics that correspond to the game display may be activated on therear display device 92 as part of the display. Additional graphics mayalso be generated on the front video display device 90, and aresuperimposed over the graphics of the rear display device 92. At block258, the routine generates graphics such as player information (e.g.,player identification, cumulative winnings, a player profile, favoritegames, etc.), game information, advertisements, graphics related to thegame, etc., which are displayed on the front video display device 90. Atblock 260, a game routine is performed and output on the front and reardisplay units 90, 92. The video is updated accordingly as the gameroutine proceeds.

The display routine 250 may further determine whether a bonus game hasbeen initiated at block 262. If the bonus game has been initiated, theroutine activates the light valve 93 at block 264, causing the lightvalve to become opaque and obscuring the player's view of the reardisplay device 92. The routine then generates graphics to play the bonusgame on the front video display device 90 at block 266 and furthergenerate player information on the front video display device at block268. If provided with video slot machine reels, the video reels of therear display device 92 may be de-illuminated. At block 270, the bonusgame routine is executed.

The display routine 250 may further determine whether or not anattraction sequence is being performed. The attraction sequence mayinclude a scrolling list of games playable on the game machine and/orvideo images of various games being played, such as video poker, videoblackjack, video slots, video keno, video bingo, etc. The attractionsequence may further include the activation of the light valve 93 atblock 274, thereby causing the light valve 93 to become opaque toobscure the view of the rear display device 92. Attraction graphics,such as the scrolling list of games and/or video images of various gamesbeing played, may be generated on the front video display device 90 atblock 276. During the attraction sequence, if a person makes any inputto the gaming machine as determined at block 278, the attractionsequence terminates and control returns to block 252 to determinewhether or not a game has been initiated.

The display routine 250 may also determine whether a player has wonduring a game routine at block 280. The win determination may includeany nonzero payout determination as determined during a game routine. Inone example, the win determination relates to a predetermined payoutamount such as a jackpot. If the player has won, as determined at block280, the routine deactivates the light valve 93, causing the light valveto become transparent and allowing the player to view the rear displaydevice 92. At block 284, the routine generates graphics on the reardisplay device 92 and/or the front video display device 90 correspondingto a value payout display to indicating that the player has won. Ifprovided with video slot machine reels, the video reels of the reardisplay device 92 may be illuminated and de-illuminated to appearflashing (similar to old mechanical reels). Player information may begenerated on the front video display device 90 at block 286, includingupdated graphical information accounting for the payout amount.

Although the display routine 250 has been described as including variouscombinations of generating images on the display units 90, 92 andactivating/deactivating the light valve 93, based on the occurrence of agame routine, a bonus routine, an attraction sequence, or a winninggame, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additionalcriteria may cause such combinations to be initiated. For example, somegame routines may be executed to include a game display on the reardisplay device 92, whereas other game routines may be executed toinclude a game display on the front display device 90. In one example,the rear display device 92 outputs a video slots game routine thatresembles a mechanical slots game, whereas the front display device 90outputs a video game routine such as video poker, video blackjack, videoslots, video keno, video bingo, or any other video game routine. When avideo game routine is to be performed, which may result from a playerselection of such a game routine, the light valve 93 is activated,thereby causing the light valve 93 to become opaque to obscure the viewof the rear display device 92. Other combinations that provide specificgame routines to be displayed on each display device 90, 92 may also beemployed.

Additionally, various combinations and permutations of generating imageson the display units 90, 92 and activating/deactivating the light valve93 may be performed for the above occurrences or other criteria. Thoseof ordinary skill in the art will also recognize that each criteria(e.g., game, bonus game, attraction, win, etc.) may be embodied in itsown routine or incorporated into other routines such as the mainoperating routines 200, 230.

As mentioned above, game output may also include downloadinginstructions for one or more games to the gaming machine. The presentinvention also relates to a method of reconfiguring a gaming machinethat includes reconfiguring the display system to use a different numberof display devices and/or a different game. For example, a networkconnection on the gaming machine may download software for a game outputon a front screen and download software for a game output on a backscreen. The downloaded games may include any game/game, game/bonus,game/pay configuration, front/back combination as described above. Thedownloaded instructions may also specify how the games will be displayedin a common line of sight.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail forpurposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certainchanges and modifications may be practiced within the scope of theappended claims. Therefore, the present examples are to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limitedto the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope of theappended claims.

1. A gaming machine comprising: an external cabinet defining an interiorregion of the gaming machine, the external cabinet adapted to house aplurality of gaming machine components within or about the interiorregion; a processor configured to execute instructions from memory thatpermit game play on the gaming machine; a first display device disposedwithin or about the interior region; a second display device disposedwithin or about the interior region and interior to the external cabinetrelative to the first display device, wherein the first display deviceand the second surface of the digital display device are disposed suchthat a common line of sight passes through a portion of the firstdisplay device and to a portion of the second surface of the digitaldisplay device; and a light valve disposed along the common line ofsight between the first display device and the second display device,wherein the light valve is configured to block at least a portion of thesecond display device in response to a control signal.